A US lobbying firm working for a Nigerian opposition leader said one of its top employees was appointed to a White House commission, ahead of presidential elections in Africa's most populous country.
The apparent embrace of Karl Von Batten by the Trump administration could complicate US-Nigeria relations, as his firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, is actively pushing against President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking re-election in January.
"Dr. Von Batten is deeply grateful to President Trump (The Chief) for this appointment and for the confidence placed in him," the Washington-based lobbying group said in a statement Wednesday evening.
It said Von Batten would be serving on an unspecified White House commission.
Atiku’s agreement
Earlier this year, the firm signed a 12-month agreement worth $1.2 million with Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting the Nigerian presidency.
The deal aimed to "advance understanding within US policymaking institutions" of Abubakar's "leadership posture and policy vision", according to disclosure forms viewed by AFP.
Notably, the firm has pushed to bring Tinubu's past records being held by the US authorities to the spotlight.
